troop
troop
Troop (noun) means a group of soldiers, or (in the plural) military forces generally. Example: “The general reviewed the troops before the parade.”
noun
1
A group of soldiers, or (in the plural) military forces generally.
"The general reviewed the troops before the parade."
"Extra troops were deployed to the border region."
"The villagers cheered as the troops marched through the main street."
2
A local unit of a scouting organization.
"Her son joined the local Scout troop last year."
"Our troop is camping by the river this weekend."
"Each member of the troop earned a badge for first aid."
verb
1
To move together as a group, especially in large numbers.
"The whole class trooped into the assembly hall."
"After the film, the audience trooped out into the cold night."
"Tourists trooped through the castle gates as soon as it opened."
How to use troop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group, especially of soldiers or scouts, or to move somewhere together as a crowd.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "troupe" (a group of actors or performers) — they sound identical but are spelled differently.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
send in troops
boy scout troop
troop out
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Word forms
- Plural
- troops
- Third person singular
- troops
- Past tense
- trooped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The general reviewed the _____ before the parade.
Etymology
From French troupe, ultimately of uncertain origin — a doublet of "troupe" and possibly "thorp" and "dorp."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for troop
See all rhymes for troop →Frequently asked questions
What does “troop” mean?
The word “troop” means a group of soldiers, or (in the plural) military forces generally. In plain terms, a group, especially of soldiers or scouts, or to move somewhere together as a crowd.
How do you pronounce “troop”?
“Troop” is pronounced troop (/tɹup/ in IPA).
How do you use “troop” in a sentence?
Here is “troop” used in a sentence: “The general reviewed the troops before the parade.”
What part of speech is “troop”?
Depending on how it is used, “troop” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “troop” come from?
The word “troop” comes from French. From French troupe, ultimately of uncertain origin — a doublet of "troupe" and possibly "thorp" and "dorp.".
Is “troop” a common word?
“Troop” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “troop” have?
“Troop” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of soldiers, or (in the plural) military forces generally.
What is the difference between troop and troops?
Troop in the singular typically refers to a group of soldiers or a local unit of a scouting organization, while troops in the plural commonly refers to military forces in general, such as 'troops were deployed overseas.' This distinction means the plural form often carries a broader, more collective military sense than the singular.
What is the difference between a troop and a platoon?
Troop is a more general term for a group of soldiers, while platoon refers to a specific, smaller military unit with a defined size and structure within an army's organizational hierarchy. Troop can be used loosely, but platoon is a precise military rank of unit.
What does troop mean in the context of scouting?
In scouting organizations, a troop refers to a local unit, such as a Boy Scout troop or Girl Scout troop, that meets regularly and is typically led by adult volunteers. This sense is distinct from the military meaning of troop as a group of soldiers.
How is 'troop' used as a verb?
As a verb, to troop means to move together as a group, especially in large numbers, as in 'the students trooped into the auditorium.' This usage describes collective movement rather than referring to soldiers specifically.
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